Brandlehow School - Another reception class needed? Post Reply

[Jen_putney]

hi Nappy Valley
I am new to this forum, was recommended to check it out for local discussion re Primary schools... I and several local friends have heard today about Brandlehow school nursery admissions, not a single one of us has got in as the entire 35 class entry has been taken up by siblings (I spoke to the school - apparently this is really unusual). We are all now concerned about the reception year for school proper (2016 for us) as it looks like many of us won't get in when we could reasonably expect to (we are all within 0.5km) due to the extraordinarily high number of siblings (and on top of this I believe there's a 'baby boom' in our year and area too). I was just wondering if there was anyone else who's been affected and would be interested in putting forward to Wandsworth council to see if the intake can be expanded for 2016 as it's obviously going to be a problem?
Let me know what you think
Cheers
Jen

[smile]

Dear Jen
The same happened to us and we're within 100meters walk to the main entrance to the school... I have sent you a private message.

[txmum]

I was wondering if you also heard anything about this year's reception class. We're anxiously awaiting our fate!

I seem to remember that Brandlehow had an expansion class in their 2012 or 2013 intake, bringing their total to 60. That might account for the bumper crop of siblings in this year's nursery class.

It also means there is precedent for an expanded intake, which might help your case.

All the best, and I'm sorry to hear you didn't get in this year.

[LaLadie]

I know of someone who lives on Brandlehow Road who didn't get in, because of the sibling issue!

My daughter is in Nursery and we don't yet know whether she will get a Reception place. We are over 500m away. Yikes!

The school built some new classrooms in order to expand the Reception intake from 45 to 60 in 2013 and 2014. The plan was then to revert to 45 in 2015. We are lucky, because I understand they have extended taking in 60 for another year. I'm afraid to say that they simply don't have any more room for expansion after that, so I believe next year the Reception intake will be 45 again.

I think what is happening is the trickle-down effect of the 60 intake, because those now in Year 1 and Reception are likely to have siblings soon to be of nursery age.

Sorry for the bad news and good luck. It's nail-biting stuff.

[smile]

Hello TXmum & LaLadie,

Have you heard any news yet about this year's reception class? Keeping my fingers crossed for you both!
Sx

[Jen_putney]

Hi guys
The admissions person at Brandlehow told me the reception intake would be 60 but if it is reverting to 45 that will be disastrous! As no one will get in as you say, because of the trickle effect with siblings of having 60 for the last two years. I'm not sure how we even find things out. The process seems to be quite murky!
Jen x

[LaLadie]

I'm pretty sure it's 60 this year and 45 next year, but best to ask the school. If anyone hears any news, do please let us know! April 16 is looming, so not long to wait now.

[smile]

Actually, when I spoke on the phone to the lady in their admissions department she said that 60 places were offered for reception last year (Sept 2014) and that she could not confirm yet how many places would exactly be offered for reception this year or next year (Sept 2016) but it would certainly be more than the usual 35 places offered for the nursery..
Who knows for sure?? I am also very interested to hear any news/developments on it, please. We're hoping for a reception place for Sept 2016.

[Jen_putney]

Yes it's a bit confusing as some of us are going for reception sep 15 and some sep 16!

[MonMonty]

I am one of the ones on Brandlehow Road who didn't get into the Nursery this year. Am hoping that we will get in next year but I am becoming increasingly anxious. Particularly if they do decrease intake to 45 again. I think we need to make clear to Wandsworth what a disaster this would be, especially given the 2012 baby boom. I am meeting a couple of other mums who are also next door to the school this afternoon to discuss the issue. Any ideas gratefully received!
I know they have changed the sibling policy so that if families move further away from the school the siblings no longer get priority. However, I can't imagine that is going to make all that much difference.

Would be very interested to find out how people got on with their reception applications as I believe you find out today?

[LaLadie]

My daughter has got in! I'm blown away, especially as I understand that this year's intake is in fact only 45. We live 540m away. There is less of a sibling jinx in our year. Pot luck, I'm afraid.
Best of luck. Hope to see you next year. The waiting list moves an awful lot, so don't give up hope.

[txmum]

We got in too! We're about 200m away on Fawe Park Road.
So relieved!

[Jen_putney]

Hi guys
Glad those looking for places this year got in ok, sounds like a pretty standard catchment area of up to 600m, which is broadly the same as previous years I've seen.
I think the problem is with reception sep 16 (those of us who all just failed to get in to nursery!) for two reasons
1. A class of 60 in the 2 and 3 years above means way more siblings than from the usual 30-45 intake.
2. I am told 2012 was a boom year for births so there are more kids overall requiring sep 16 places
If the sep 16 intake is 45 there's little chance of anyone other than a handful if people in the roads that border the school getting in, as we already know there are 35+ siblings. So presumably the catchment will go down to 1-200m max
Theoretically that pushes lots of us into other schools but if there are also more kids then they may well be full too unless extra (not fewer) places are put on - I cannot see in what universe it makes sense to reduce the intake to 45!!
Can we lobby to get 60 places continued? With the siblings those of us who live in the normal catchment area (we are 450m away for example) may well still not get in but at least we might get a place in the local area!
Does anyone know who to write to?
Cheers
Jen

[imalocal]

Does anyone know whether intake for reception 2016 is going to be 45 or 30? And if it is 45, how does this work logistically? Will there be two classes of 22/23 in two classrooms with one teacher per class? Or would all the children be put into one large classroom? Thanks! (And apologies for hijacking the thread somewhat....)

[LaLadie]

No idea, but it's 45 or 60, not 30. Best to call the school. They're very sweet. Good luck!